Welcome to the Ranch!

Not only does this video by Bryan Marcel accurately show the conditions on a committed grass fed ranch operation, but he is a big proponent on eating healthier as a lifestyle.  Beyond his catchy motto, “Look Better Naked,” he has a healthy diet plan that includes grass fed beef.  For more information, check out The Bryan Marcel Healthy Diet and/or read his article, “Unhealthy Americans.”

For most of our customers, they seek out grass fed beef because of a desire to eat healthier.  They instinctively know that the more naturally an animal lives the better.  They believe the adage, “You are what you eat.”  If you eat meat filled with antibiotics and growth hormones, then it stands to reason that the meat will eventually have an adverse effect on your health.

On Cross Creek Cattle Company, we raise our beef in a natural setting in Grimes County.  The herds graze natural grasses, and they are currently enjoying planted rye grass.  They have access to fresh water and loose minerals. There is no feed-lot setting on our ranch.

To see for yourself, we invite you to tour Cross Creek Cattle Company.  Contact me for an appointment so that I can make myself available to you and your family.

A storm came early Monday morning.  It woke us up in the middle of the night with swirling winds, lightning flashes, and rumbling thunder.  Our youngest boy, Andrew, knocked on our bedroom door as he sought our parental comfort.  Our puppy was whining.  Typically this scenario would not be welcome.  I mean, I treasure my sleep.  However after the year we have had, it was a sheer joy to wake up to the sound of the downpour on our metal roof.  I did not mind the inconvenience of a whining dog and scared child.

The storm was not short lived.  It lasted most of the day, but by noon the really hard rain had left.  Instead, a soaking rain set in for a few more hours.  We watched as puddles spilled into larger ones, which then eventually led to some minor flooding as the once dry creek beds filled and spilled over.

This was not our first rain during this drought.  We have been blessed this fall and winter with occasional showers.  They have had an incredible effect on our winter grass.  These rains have provided a steady soaking of the ground.  In spite of these showers, our ponds and lakes have been lower than we have ever witnessed.  Run-off had not really begun to refill them.

We cannot say that anymore.  Just look at the before and after photos of the same lake on our ranch.  If you will recall, we built the pier this summer in the hopes that we would once again have a full lake.

Taken in late August. The lake dropped another four feet, but I failed to take a picture of it.

Water level as on January 9th.

In literature, a rain like we experienced Monday symbolizes a rebirth or fresh start.  This is exactly how we feel.  It is like we have turned a corner.  Our land is on the mend from the devastating effects of such a severe drought.  To receive 6.6 inches in one day is truly a blessing.  Cross Creek Cattle Company is looking forward to watching as God heals our land and restores it.  What a wonderful way to start this new year!

We don’t work cows often, but when we do it is a hard day’s work.  We work steadily and methodically, but are in no rush.  If you are trying to speed things up, you are more apt to make a mistake.  At Cross Creek Cattle Company a good day of working cows is when nobody gets injured.

We had a very successful day of working cows last Monday.  It was a sheer pleasure to watch my middle son, Jake, who is ten years old work like a man.  He has had many years of experience working cows.  My father, brother, and husband have patiently taught him to perform Cowboy duties.

This time was different.  Jake  was everywhere he needed to be doing exactly what needed to be done.  I was impressed with his work ethic and his knowledge of the work.  It really was a joy to watch him and his father work side by side.  I can tell you that Jake is not afraid of getting dirty.

We have an excellent family tradition.  The ranch takes everyone who works cattle out for dinner.  In the past, we all voted to go to La Casita in Navasota.  It is a delicious Tex-Mex Restaurant.  However, this year my family is on a very strict diet in order to heal our guts for various health reasons.  Going out to eat is very difficult, but we have not stopped our ranch tradition.  We just slightly modified it, and it is equally delicious!

Now the ranch purchases the ingredients for a special meal.  We plan a menu.  Then as a family, we sit around the table filled with great food and enjoy a treat for our labor.  It is a family ranching tradition that will not go out of style.  It is one of our favorite things, even the youngest family members look forward to cattle working day.

Feeding the cowboys after a day of hard work has been a long-standing tradition in the past.  Usually someone prepared the food on site.  It could have been beans and biscuits.  It could have been fresh beef.  I have even heard of them cooking up the testicles of freshly castrated bulls.  Regardless of the type of food, Cross Creek Cattle Company is pleased to continue this fine tradition with our family-owned and operated ranch.

If you are a rancher, we would love to hear any of your traditions.  Leave a comment below to share them with us.

Alton Brown, host of Good Eats on the Food Network, prefers grass fed beef to grain fed beef.  As usual, he presents his argument in a humorous way.  Enjoy this clip as Alton explains why he loves the texture and flavor of grass fed beef.

If you have never tasted the true flavor and texture of beef, there is no time like the present.  Cross Creek Cattle Company is still harvesting beef.  Please contact Lara DeHaven, our Business Manager, today.  Her phone number is 936-870-5798 or her email address is lndehaven@aol.com.

Zorra (Cathey) and her horse, Shania

We had such a great time last Saturday!  Our trail ride was so much fun.  It was a beautiful, slightly cool afternoon.  The horses felt great and did a wonderful job crossing the creeks, cutting through the woods, and walking through open pastures.  We had experienced riders as well as beginners ride the trail and all did a great job.

Isaac is catching a ride with an Indian (Kyla) on her painted horse, Dolly. To the right is Jake as a deer hunter.

For me, the best part of the evening was seeing everyone come dressed up to the ride.  When the costume contest was first announced, I did not think that the Posse members would actually dress up.  Boy was I wrong.

Most people came in costume.  We had rodeo contestants, Indians, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, a deer hunter, a Western outlaw, and a gypsy.  Cathey Holliday came as a female Zorro.  She was my personal favorite; although, my daughter Kyla looked pretty authentic as a Native American.  Kyla researched actual symbols that Indians would paint on their horses.  She painted them on her horse, and dressed the part herself.

It was fun to see these costumed riders riding across Cross Creek Cattle Company.  After the ride, the Posse held their officer election.  We awarded two costume prizes.  One for the best dressed horse and one for the best costume.  The Sheriff judged the contest and had a hard time making his decision.  We also ate dinner and visited with one another.  All in all, we hosted a fun evening for the Posse.

Since this year’s costume contest was such a hit, it will probably occur next year, too.  They will have all year to try to top this year’s costumes.  As evidenced by the costumes this year, the members of the Posse not only ride horses well, but they are very creative.  Below are the costume contest winners.

Dorothy (Samantha Roesler) and Toto. Best Costume 2011.

Timber Thomson and her very painted horse, Patsy. Best Decorated Horse 2011.

It has been a busy week here at Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We have had several customers come pick up their orders of grass fed beef.  It is always nice to visit face-to-face with people.  Many times we end up showing our first-time customers around the place before giving them their beef.  Almost always, especially for young girls, our horses draw attention away from the cows or anything else to see here.

Horses are beautiful creatures.  They move powerfully and gracefully.  Their size and weight far outmatch any rider, and yet they can be controlled with a tiny bit in their mouth and/or leg pressure.  Equine therapy has proven successful for people with injuries, disabilities, and even with the rehabilitation of prisoners.  There is something magical about the relationships between horse and rider.

Teamwork is one of the greatest lessons learned when working with or riding a horse.  You and the animal have to be in sync; together you move as one and work as one.  If you are not in sync with your partner, then it is obvious.  You fall off, your horse gets injured, etc.  We encourage our children to begin riding horses as soon as they can sit and obey our commands.  Learning about teamwork at a young age is important to us.  Children gain first-hand the knowledge that they are part of something bigger than themselves.  It takes the focus off of self, which is a key character trait missing in our society.

Just as important is taking care of the horse.  Feeding, watering, haying, grooming, mucking stalls, etc. are necessary elements of horsemanship.  Children learn responsibility as they care for the needs of another.  It is not all fun and games; some of the chores are downright humbling and nasty.  If you ask me, humble service is another great lesson learned from working with horses.

Cross Creek Cattle Company is a proud sponsor of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Jr. Deputy Mounted Posse.  Sheriff Don Sowell, Coordinator Sonya Floyd, and Drillmaster Lane DeHaven in addition to countless volunteers and parents work tirelessly as they encourage the youth of our county to promote horsemanship skills, leadership, and citizenship.  The youth gain even a deeper understanding of teamwork as they learn and perform routines on horseback.  Teamwork is no longer just between horse and rider, but extends to all the horses and riders on the team.  It is much more difficult to accomplish well.

The Posse is a fine organization, which welcomes any youth interested in joining.  We are always taking new members.  To kick off this new year, Cross Creek Cattle Company is happy to host the annual trail ride on our ranch.  It is a fun time of fellowship and food.  Of course, we have a trail ride.  This year Jake, Kyla, and Rheaghan, a fellow Posse member, charted the course of the trail.

Boy, are they adventurous! My husband had to make some easier/safer alterations to their proposed plan, but all-in-all it will be fun for the riders.  To make it interesting, we kept some logs laying in the path as obstacles for the horses.  We trimmed tree limbs so people’s hats won’t get knocked off.  The trail takes riders up and down creeks, which is always challenging for new riders and exhilarating for the experienced ones.  It will be a fun ride.

We are so blessed to get to live here on the ranch.  We get to enjoy daily what the ranch has to offer.  It is not always fun and games, but there are always life skills to be learned.  We are also happy to be able to host this event and allow others to see how much our ranch has to offer.

Every summer my two nephews from Oklahoma come and stay a week on the ranch.  They are 10 and 8 years old, which are great ages for exploring and enjoying the outdoors.  Their ages also fit in nicely with my five children, whose ages range from 15 to 3.  Whenever we have visitors, it is fun to see the ranch through their eyes.  My kids especially like to show-off the fun that our ranch has to offer.

Whether you call it hiking, exploring, or walking, being able to enjoy the countryside is certainly a pleasant experience.  In the cool of the morning or the evening is when we like to talk a walk.  Who needs a park when you have creeks to cross, hills to climb, vines to swing on, and tanks to wade in?  From open pastures to the deep woods, there is plenty to find, observe, and see.

Watching nature from the cabin is another delight to any visitor.  It is birthing season for the deer right now.  We have a deer feeder stocked with corn for our favorite wild animals in a bottom pasture.  Getting to see the baby fawns with their mothers is a joy.  Barn swallows have built a nest on my front porch.  They have raised four baby birds, which are just about ready to leave the nest.

The kids on horseback stumbled upon a spot where the feral hogs have been keeping cool during this extreme drought.  I guess I should say that the horses found it.  The horses began snorting, whinnying, and prancing around, which was odd behavior for them.  The kids looked closer and found a sow and several piglets bedded down and sleeping.  Fortunately, our children left them alone and told us.  We know where to place a live trap for the hogs now.

The boys slept outside on the deck.  Falling asleep while stargazing is always peaceful and enjoyable.  We have not had rain so mosquitoes are not a concern; however, a campfire was completely out of the question.  The nighttime sounds on the ranch are usually pleasant.  The croaking of the tree frogs, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the gentle swaying of the pine boughs in the breeze all act as a lullaby.  Partly due to the activity of the day and partly due to the coolness of the evening, all the boys slept nice and sound.

As with most visitors on the ranch, we include you in the daily chores.  My nephews enjoyed checking on the herd, feeding them alfalfa cubes, and feeding the horses.  One nephew and my son helped my husband and I pen up a steer that found itself on the wrong side of the fence.  He was in my neighbors pasture.  Luckily, it did not require much encouragement to get him in the correct pasture.  After that, they helped us weigh all of the calves in our grass fed beef program.  My nephew was quite impressed with the scale on the chute.

I don’t know who is going to be more sad when the week is up and life has to return back to normal, my boys or my nephews.  We have completely enjoyed visiting with our extended family members.  We have enjoyed including them in our ranch life.  They have visited, played, worked together, and enjoyed the outdoors.  Hopefully they will always look fondly on these days when they grow up into adulthood.  Weeks like this are the ties that bind a family together.  May you and your family have similar summer experiences.

Kyla and Jake DeHaven are proud members of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Jr. Deputy Mounted Posse, which represent the county at several events throughout the year.  Their dad and ranch manager of Cross Creek Cattle Company is the Assistant Drill Master of this youth organization. 

One of the highlights of the year took place June 4th and 5th at the 59th Annual Grimes County Fair in Navasota, Texas.  They opened the rodeo with a performance dedicated to the United States Armed Forces.  Each member of the Posse is carrying flags from all branches of the military as well as the United States of America and State of Texas flags.

If you have never loped a horse in front of a large crowd while holding onto a flag doing a routine, you cannot fully appreciate the difficulty that these young riders overcome.  They even make it look easy.  The youngest member of the Posse is Jake, who just turned 10.  The oldest girl just graduated high school. 

Cross Creek Cattle Company is a proud sponsor of the Grimes County Mounted Posse.  We are also proud that our family participates in this organization.  We also join with the Posse in remembering the sacrifices that military families make every day. 

As the song, “If We Ever Make It Home,” by Wade Bowen states, “If we ever make it home, there’ll be peace like we’ve never known. Nobody’s gonna walk alone.  We’ll be leaning on each other.”  We stand with our troops and hope that they make it home soon.  We also thank them for their continued service to our country.

We might not be surrounded by heroes on a daily basis, but my hero of this performance was Randi Farquhar.  She is riding the white gelding at the end.  Her horse rears up seemingly on cue while they announce her name.  In doing so, the flag pole slipped out of its holder.  With sheer determination and strength, Randi held the flag until she exited the arena.  She told me, “All I could think was do NOT let the flag touch the ground.”

I hope you enjoy the performance.

Family is one of the most important things in this world to Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We are a family-owned and operated ranch located in Grimes County.  My children are active in the community as we represent ourselves as well as our ranch.  This past week has been an extraordinarily busy one as the 59th Annual Grimes County Fair consumed most of our time and attention. 

Saturday, June 4th, Jake DeHaven showed his Beefmaster heifer at the fair.  This was her last show and she went out with a bang.  Together Jake and Sugar won Reserve Champion Beefmaster.  Needless to say, Jake was thrilled and excited and we were so proud of him. 

We have retired Sugar from the show ring.   Jake already has his eye on his next beef heifer project for 4-H.  He will begin the process of halter-breaking soon.

Jake’s success with his show heifer has inspired my daughter, Kyla, to also want to do a beef heifer project next year.  Isaac and Andrew, my youngest boys, were able to show Sugar in the Pee Wee Beef Heifer Show.  They had so much fun in the show ring with her.  The show sticks were twice their size, but they worked hard to handle them correctly.  They cannot wait until they are old enough to be in 4-H and show heifers, too.

Kyla was busy with her own animal projects.  She won 5th place with the goat, which qualified her for the Premium Sale.  The most impressive part of the day was when she won a belt buckle for Junior Showmanship.  She wears it proudly. 

Both Kyla and Jake had swine projects.  They did not do as well as they would have liked; however, they learned a lot about raising pigs.  Despite the fact that they did not place high, Kyla was called back for Showmanship.  This was a great honor because most were not.

In Creative Arts, Jake won Grand Champion for his watercolor of one of our dairy goats.  He also got Reserve Champion for a crocheted dishcloth, which he sold at the silent auction.  Kyla won Grand Champion for embroidering her little brother’s name on a homemade blanket.  Their other projects including jewelry design, photography, etc. received blue ribbons.

Isaac and Andrew competed in a Kids Rodeo.  The events were stickhorse racing, dummy roping, and a boot scramble.  Isaac won 1st place in dummy roping.  He spends time outside practicing with Jake and the practice paid off.  He won a brand-new pale green lariat.  I have never seen a child more proud of a lariat before. 

All in all we had a very good year at the Grimes County Fair.  Our family and ranch was well-represented.  I speak for all of us when I say that we are so proud of Kyla, Jake, Isaac, and Andrew.  They worked hard, learned a lot, and it shows.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about how my son, Jake, was preparing to show his Beefmaster heifer, Sugar, at the Houston Livestock Show.  It was certainly a learning experience for Jake.  At the other cattle shows he attended, you arrive that morning, show, and then leave the same day.  Houston is quite different.

The actual show was Friday morning.  My husband, Lane, and Jake left late Tuesday night to meet other contestants from Grimes County.  They formed a caravan into Houston.  By 10 o’clock that evening, they were sitting in a long line of trailers.  My husband estimated that about 100 trailers were already ahead of them in line. 

The Grimes County bunch pulled out chairs, coolers, and decks of cards to help pass the time.  At one point, they discussed how they wish they had brought a small grill.  There is nothing like tail-gating while you wait in line.  Finally at 6 o’clock in the morning, they had settled into their assigned stall.  Needless to say, they were exhausted.

Regardless of how much they wanted to crawl into bed, their work had just began.  Sugar had to be fed, watered, walked, and groomed.  Her stall had to be kept clean.  Luckily, the Grimes County group were assigned an end stall.  So, there was room for them to put their supplies and chairs at the end of the row. 

Down time was filled with browsing through the countless vendor booths in the Exhibition hall.  Jake has never met a stranger, and he made many friends from all over the state of Texas.  Outside there was a carnival, and many places to eat fair food, like funnel cakes and sausage on a stick.  Jake was tired, but he was having a great time. 

Sugar liked all the extra attention.  She liked Jake sitting with her in the stall.  She enjoyed her showers and grooming sessions, too. 

On the day of the show, Sugar unfortunately would not drink that morning.  Our county agent said that it was not unusual for a cow to refuse to eat or drink on show day.  Unusual or not, it was definitely unfortunate.  Because she did not drink, her sides were not as full as they should have been.  Sugar was hollowed out to use a cow term.  We tried as hard as we could to get her to drink, but it was of no use. 

Jake led Sugar into the large show ring.  His class was very full.  At first, I noticed how young and small he looked compared to the other exhibitors.  He is only nine years old and most of the exhibitors in his class were in high school.  Jake looked like a baby, but he showed like an experience showman. 

I was so proud of Jake.  I could not take my eyes off of him throughout his entire show.  The judge started selecting cattle.  His method was to remove the less desirable cattle from the ring.  I was pleased that Sugar and Jake stayed in the class.  Jake ended up getting 12th place at Houston.  Considering that it is the world’s largest livestock exhibition, we are pleased. 

The judge pulled Jake aside and told him how much he liked his heifer.  He wanted to see her more filled out.  How we wish she had drank her water the morning before the show!  There is no telling what place she would have gotten if that was the case.

Jake DeHaven worked very hard to get his heifer ready to show in Houston.  From halter-breaking to grooming, Jake has learned a tremendous amount of information on the show business.  Showing in Houston only added to his knowledge. It was quite an experience.  Most importantly, Jake made himself, Cross Creek Cattle Company, and his family very proud. 

He has several more shows coming up in the near future.  I will let you know how Sugar and Jake do.  So far they have made a great team.